Chapter Ten: Surprises

Author's notes:

Italics indicate thought.

indicates Rogue's psyches

Indicates telepathy

"So who are we going after?" Kitty asked as she buckled her seatbelt. She was excited about battling some Sleaze Queen and her minions, but also a little concerned about her roommate. It wasn't as though Rogue couldn't handle herself, but by the way Storm and the Professor kept discussing the situation, it seemed more complicated and dangerous. Surely Rogue couldn't handle everything alone.

Storm looked back at the child from the controls of the X-Jet. "We are on the defensive, Katherine. Our first priority is to find Rogue and make sure that she is safe."

Jean sighed. "I can't believe I just let her go like that. She's in this mess because of me. If I would've made the right decision and told you what she did, Rogue would be safe in the Institute."

Scott flashed her a sympathetic smile. "Hey, we all make mistakes Jean," he said softly. "Besides, it's not like you're the crazed telepath after her, anyway."

Spyke nodded. "Yeah, man. Rogue brought this on herself. You didn't push her out the door or anything."

"I still can't help but feel guilty,"

Kitty patted Jean on the shoulder. "We all know Rogue can be pretty harsh sometimes- and pretty determined. Even if you had told the Professor what she was doing, she probably would've still got on that train. She's so, like, stubborn sometimes; I don't think any of us could have intercepted."

She smiled. "Thanks, Kitty, you're right. And... it's not like it's a bad thing that Rogue wants to go back home, but all she had to do was tell us. I'm sure you wouldn't mind, would you Professor?"

"Of course not," he replied. "But I never had any inkling that she wished to go home. Even during Christmas she said she'd prefer to stay than to return to Caldecott."

"And why would she want to?" Scott agreed. "I mean, with all the trouble she caused back there I doubt she'd get a warm reception. Especially from her mother, who happened to call us the 'mutant-hunting X-Men.'"

"Rogue's alvays been a private person," Kurt cut in. "Even if she vanted to know about her family, there's no vay she'd tell us. She never tells me anything, and I'm like.... her brother."

"Brother, what do you mean, Kurt?" Kitty asked.

"Vell... Rogue vas reading one of the Prof's files, and somewhere he suspected that Mystique vas part of her past... so, that vould make me her brother or somefink, right?"

"You really think Mystique's her mother?" Storm asked, concerned. Mystique wasn't the best mutant to be involved with, and from how she had treated Rogue before, the wind rider was certain that she was not the loving mother Rogue so wanted her to be.

The Professor nodded. "It is possible," he answered hesitantly. "But we know nothing for certain."

"I sure hope not," Wolverine interjected. "That woman's smells like something frail. I don't like the idea of her bein' involved with Rogue in anyway."

"So what's the plan, team?" Scott asked.

"I'll take care of White Queen," Jean volunteered. "A telepath versus a telepath is a good match."

"I wouldn't be so rash," Xavier supplied. "You'd best leave her to me. White Queen is probably too much of a match for even a incredibly talented student like you. I'm not so sure I could even best her so easily."

"Wow, so, like, this really is serious..."

"Yes, I'm afraid this will be a test for all of us, but I'm sure we will do our best."

"So that means, don't do anything stupid, Elf," Wolverine translated.

"Hey!"

"So, what are you going to do now, Raven? Now that I've got the upper hand?"

Mystique glared at Emma with all the hate she could muster. Her hand slipped to the back of her jeans, where another gun had been conveniently hidden. She fingered the handle, but decided against it. She had to keep it as an element of surprise, and wait until her diamond skin had disintegrated, otherwise, she would waste a bullet.

"Hmm... cat got your tongue?"

"You're right, Emma," she spat with much difficulty, hardly wanting to add to the woman's inflated ego. "You've got me at your mercy. So what do you want?"

Slowly, White Queen lowered the gun. "I want you to stay away from Caldecott. Rogue is ours now."

"I can't do that," Mystique replied.

"Then I'm going to have to kill you," she answered frankly, and aimed to gun at Mystique's chest. "Because I can't have you interfering with our plans, no matter how fickle your presence is."

Come on, she thought, still clutching the gun. The woman's barrier couldn't last for much longer. If anything, her major fault was pride. She would soon see Raven as helpless and let her guard down long enough for her to place a bullet in her probably plastic body. "If I'm such an inferior, then what risk do I pose?"

Emma laughed as her diamond exterior disappeared. "Look at yourself, Raven, pleading for your pathetic life. I thought even you'd be beneath that."

"And you're egotism will kill you someday," she shot back evenly and whipped out the pistol. Emma, knowing she didn't have enough time to protect herself with her diamond skin, kicked Raven's hand at the exact moment that she pulled the trigger. The bullet, meant for the heart, lodged itself in Emma's left shoulder. The woman cried out in pain and hit the floor at the impact.

Mystique dug her high-heeled foot into the woman's neck. "You can tell Shaw to kiss my ass." And with that, she knocked her out and stowed her in the lavoratory. Dusting her hands, pleased with her success, the assassin barricaded the door. "Bitch."

It had to be at least past midnight as Sabine walked down the streets of Caldecott. She hoped to God that Irene would be happy to see her, rather than upset that she had arrived at such an hour. She passed Cody's house, and suddenly the memory her last night in her home town slugged her in the gut. Ah wonder... if he remembers me. Ah wonder if he's all rahght. Fighting the urge to walk into the familiar house (as she was certain his memories were taking a hold of her mind at the sight), she continued down the sidewalk until she approached an old Victorian house, older and more sinister than the other houses on the block. Now, it looked even more ominous than it had before. She fought the urge to run away- return to the train, and leave the stones of her past unturned.

Come on ya idiot, Rogue chided herself. Ya came all this way, wasted all that money on a train ride, an y'r too frikin' chicken ta walk inta y'r own house.

With a sharp breath, she steeled herself for the coming confrontation. She knocked softly, but there was no reply. O' course, she's prolly sleepin'. Rogue knocked harder, but still no answer. The door, however, creaked open slightly at the impact of her fist. She shivered, feeling as though she was suddenly part of a horror movie. After all, only things like that happened in the movies, right?

After much hesitation, Rogue slowly crept in the house and dumped her duffel bag on the floor. The room was pitch black and absolutely silent. "'Reney? It's me, Rogue... Are ya home?"

Advancing past the living room and into the hallway, Rogue stumbled blindly to what she remembered to be Irene's bedroom. The door was ajar, and she stepped inside. Immediately, the door clicked shut behind her.

"Wh-who's there?" Rogue asked, raising her fists to defend herself. Her eyes frantically scanned the room, but she couldn't make out anything. Damn, ah knew ah shoulda eaten more carrots when ah was little...

The light flicked on. Two men and a sinister woman stood before her. Two were foreign, but she recognized one man. "Magneto!" she gasped. "What're you doin' here?"

A short man stepped forward. She recognized him, though couldn't put the face to her memory. "Who's that picture of, Momma?" "Just a man I used to know." "You'll never have her, Shaw!" "Momma!" "Run, Sabine, come on, we have to get out of here!" The memories juxtaposed in her mind one by one, though the pieces hardly connected. All she knew was that he wasn't on her side. "And who are you?"

He extended his had with a smile. "Sebastian Shaw," he answered, "and I just so happen to be your father, child."

"Mah father?"

The woman and Magneto encircled her as Shaw drew closer. Rogue backed away in fear, but bumped into Magnus, who caught her arm. "Yes, and as your father, I've come to collect my pride and joy."

The door swung open and Raven Darkholme stood in the doorway, gun in hand and fuming. "Let he go Shaw," she snapped.

Holy shit, kids! I liiiiive! I apologize greatly for the extreme hiatus... I've had a horrible year so far and my interest for X-Men Evolution just disintegrated. But, I suddenly had the sudden urge to update some fan fictions collecting major dust on my hard drive. Sooo... this is it. For better or for worse. I will definitely try to finish this story in a most timely manner this time.